Speedfest 2009 Press Release

Columbia Motorsports Park to fill the void of Speedfest

Lake City, FL Aug 20, 2008; Upon the closing of USA International Speedway on August 2nd, Don Nerone owner of Columbia Motorsports Park in Lake City, FL has committed to continuing the tradition of Speedfest ?The North/South Shootout?. The 6th annual Speedfest 2009 will be a three day event beginning January 23rd and ending Sunday January 25th. The 2009 event will have a different format than years past by combining all types of ABC body late models into one group that will allow them to compete against each other through a variety of handicaps for the higher horse powered competitors. Don Nerone, founder of Speedfest, said ?Speedfest has been a success from the beginning, while the event hasn?t drawn the northern cars the way we had hoped, this year we are promoting the event coast to coast for all drivers to come try their skills and equipment against the best late model drivers in the south.? Speedfest has been a co-sanctioned event between northern and southern series however for 2009 Columbia Motorsports Park is committed to hosting this event independently on its full ? mile paved oval. The event is expected to draw competitors from as far away as Canada and the Midwest on their way to the Sunshine State?s 43rd Annual World Series of Asphalt held every February at New Smyrna Speedway. Updates on this event will be coming soon and posted at www.columbiamotorsportspark.com.

I could be wrong, but I read 2 weeks ago, South Georgia announced a 3 day late model show on the same dates. SGMP is about an hour north of Columbia.

That is incorrect.

Once again it looks like one track trying to put the screws to another why not just have it the following weekend.

From the SGMP website:

January 23, 24, 25 MotorFest 09 - More info to come

I was thought y’all were thinking of the weekend they just scheduled on top of Governor’s Cup… but I guess not!

from SGMP Website… (and it hasn’t been there too long)

November 21, 22, 23

The CRA Super Series 1st Annual Southern Slam 250

I hate to be a jerk, but I recieved a press release on August 14th stating the CRA would be sanctioning a 3 day late model event on January 23, 24 and 25 at South Georgia Motorsports Park. More details were to be released later.
Now maybe SGMP and/or CRA tried to jump the gun on Don Nerone and take advantage of the USA Speedway closing.
The only thing I know for sure is make sure you hold the races in the daytime. Golden Isles Speedway had tons of dirt cars last January and the grandstands were far from full. It gets COLD at night in north Florida and south Georgia in January!

My apologies. I too thought we were talking about the November dates.